Xi Jinping Skips Trump’s Inauguration, Delegates Deputy Leader to Attend
An expert remarked that by dispatching his deputy leader to Washington, CCP leader Xi Jinping aims to extend an ‘olive branch’ to Trump.
“We are prepared to collaborate with the new U.S. government to improve dialogue and communication,” said a spokesperson from the ministry.
The Chinese regime is looking to discover “the right approach for the two nations to coexist harmoniously in a new era.”
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Yeh Yao-Yuan, a professor of international relations at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, suggested that Xi declined the invitation due to his lack of readiness for a direct meeting with Trump.
Yeh explained that Xi’s diplomatic team usually makes elaborate preparations to address all key issues before interacting with a foreign leader to prevent unexpected developments. With the limited time before Trump’s inauguration, Xi “would feel pressured and hesitate to attend,” he told The Epoch Times.
“Xi Jinping prioritizes safety above all else,” Cai told The Epoch Times, referring to Xi’s anxiety regarding potential assassination attempts during foreign visits. “A public gathering like this, with tens of thousands of attendees, makes it even less likely he would participate,” Cai stated.
‘Olive Branch’
Despite Xi’s absence, Cai argues that the Chinese leader is “keen to restore engagement” with the U.S. because he is aware that Trump will increase pressure on the CCP.
In light of these economic issues and mounting pressure from major trading partners, Xi may be compelled to soften Beijing’s approach and “extend an olive branch” to Trump, as suggested by Cai.
As a leader focused on projecting strength globally, “attending the inauguration of the U.S. president could convey that he acknowledges he is not in the stronger position,” Cai explained. “Naturally, he would prefer not to do that.”
It is uncertain whether the Chinese deputy leader will engage with Trump or any senior officials during his visit to Washington. Should such meetings occur, analysts speculate that sending Han—a figure with a predominantly nominal role—implies that little substantive progress will be made through these interactions.
According to Russia’s state-run RIA news agency, Xi is set to visit Russia in 2025.
“Regarding specific bilateral engagements, I can confirm that the appropriate plans are being actively developed,” said Moscow’s ambassador to Beijing, Igor Morgulov, in a statement to RIA in December 2024.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not confirm or deny the planned visit when questioned during a regular briefing last December, only stating that Beijing and Moscow maintain extensive interactions across various levels.
Contributions to this report were made by Reuters and Luo Ya.
